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After my brothers in arms have all moved out, I’m suffering from a kind of empty nest syndrome. The only one left is Forest, Creek’s little brother.
Except he’s not that little. He’s seriously hot and sassy, and the way I dream about him is anything but brotherly.
But he’s too young for me, too innocent. Too…perfect. He doesn’t need a man with my kind of baggage.
When he gets sick, I’m there for him, even when he allows no one else in.
I will do anything to take care of him…and that includes marrying him so he’ll have health insurance.
But when fake becomes real, I don’t know what to do. Forest may need me, but how do I explain to him that I need him just as much?
Nash is the fourth book in the Honorably Discharged Series, which can be read as standalones but are much more fun read in order.
Except he’s not that little. He’s seriously hot and sassy, and the way I dream about him is anything but brotherly.
But he’s too young for me, too innocent. Too…perfect. He doesn’t need a man with my kind of baggage.
When he gets sick, I’m there for him, even when he allows no one else in.
I will do anything to take care of him…and that includes marrying him so he’ll have health insurance.
But when fake becomes real, I don’t know what to do. Forest may need me, but how do I explain to him that I need him just as much?
Nash is the fourth book in the Honorably Discharged Series, which can be read as standalones but are much more fun read in order.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2026
228 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Nora Phoenix
137 books2,241 followersWould you like the long or the short version of my bio?
The short? You got it.
I write steamy gay romance books and I love it. I also love reading books. Books are everything.
How was that?
A little more detail? Gotcha.
I started writing my first stories when I was a teen…on a freaking typewriter. I still have these, and they’re adorably romantic. And bad, haha. Fear of failing kept me from following my dream to become a romance author, so you can imagine how proud and ecstatic I am that I finally overcame my fears and self doubt and did it. I adore my genre because I love writing and reading about flawed, strong men who are just a tad broken..but find their happy ever after anyway.
My favorite books to read are pretty much all MM/gay romances as long as it has a happy end. Kink is a plus… Aside from that, I also read a lot of nonfiction and not just books on writing. Popular psychology is a favorite topic of mine and so are self help and sociology.
Hobbies? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Just kidding. I love traveling, spending time near the ocean, and hiking. But I love books more.
Come hang out with me in my Facebook Group Nora’s Nook where I share previews, sneak peeks, freebies, fun stuff, and much more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/noras...
Wanna get first dibs on freebies, updates, sales, and more? Sign up for my newsletter (no spamming your inbox full…promise!) here: http://www.noraphoenix.com/newsletter/
You can also stalk me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoraFromBHR
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nora.phoenix/
On Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nora-...
The short? You got it.
I write steamy gay romance books and I love it. I also love reading books. Books are everything.
How was that?
A little more detail? Gotcha.
I started writing my first stories when I was a teen…on a freaking typewriter. I still have these, and they’re adorably romantic. And bad, haha. Fear of failing kept me from following my dream to become a romance author, so you can imagine how proud and ecstatic I am that I finally overcame my fears and self doubt and did it. I adore my genre because I love writing and reading about flawed, strong men who are just a tad broken..but find their happy ever after anyway.
My favorite books to read are pretty much all MM/gay romances as long as it has a happy end. Kink is a plus… Aside from that, I also read a lot of nonfiction and not just books on writing. Popular psychology is a favorite topic of mine and so are self help and sociology.
Hobbies? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Just kidding. I love traveling, spending time near the ocean, and hiking. But I love books more.
Come hang out with me in my Facebook Group Nora’s Nook where I share previews, sneak peeks, freebies, fun stuff, and much more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/noras...
Wanna get first dibs on freebies, updates, sales, and more? Sign up for my newsletter (no spamming your inbox full…promise!) here: http://www.noraphoenix.com/newsletter/
You can also stalk me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoraFromBHR
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nora.phoenix/
On Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nora-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
January 11, 2026
The book is ok, I just wanted so much more for Nash😒
January 21, 2026
"He took a single step back, giving enough space between us for Jesus— as my youth group leader used to say during our yearly socials."
What a disappointment.
Wow.
This is so boring it hurts.
They took Nash, a really strong side character from the series, one with the biggest potential to get a really great book, and completely blew it.
This was a washed-up version of Nash, he was a completely different person in this book. Not to mention that he was a sergeant, a Top, a caretaker, big daddy energy, openly gay, a mature, stable, dominant man in his prime, yet here, Nash ends up in a stupidly boring, uneventful love story paired up with a mediocre twink he fake-marries, and they supposedly fall in love while acting like idiots half the time.
🟢 A college professor / a vet (Sargeant), now EMT
🟠 Fake husbands
🟡 Almost no height, but some size difference
🔵 Age gap - 11 years, I think around 30 / over 40
🟣 Neurological disability
🌶️ Some sex, quite good, but not as much as I'd expect; oral, penetrative; t/b, hinting at vers
We come into this story right in the middle. We skip over the first time Nash and Foster see each other, which is only told at the very end of the book. We also skip a lot of their early times hanging out together, being in each other’s company and eventually living together as roommates, because, apparently, the fact that they both had crushes on each other for a longer time didn’t matter that much.
When Foster, Creek's younger brother, gets a bad diagnosis and is fired from his job as a college professor, he’s basically at home with Nash, his brother's former NCO, who is the only one who knows what’s going on with Foster. All the other guys who were supposed to be so close to and so connected with Nash, are nowhere to be found throughout most of the book. Nash is hiding everything from them, from Foster's devastating diagnosis to getting fake-married so Foster can get healthcare benefits.
How they manage to go weeks and even months without any kind of contact is beyond me, they were constantly in touch in all the other books, but especially now that Forest is here, one would think there'd be even more of that spending time together.
When Nash and Forest finally get fake married, they keep a lot from each other, they just don't talk about anything, but they do start talking about getting off, and just when you think they’re getting closer or at least are going to hook up regularly, they have their little honeymoon, come back home, and go right back to sleeping in their separate rooms.
Yeah, they continue sleeping separately, but you’re led to believe during that honeymoon that they’re at least going to keep having sex, right? They've finally gotten closer, right?
Sure, it came out of nowhere and I wasn't really sold on it, but at least there'd be some nice intimacy, getting closer, if nothing else.
Right?
Weeks pass where they barely even look at each other or talk.
I mean, what is this? What are they waiting for? This kind of stupid pining while living two feet apart isn't cute. And it's not even good pining, it's just being stupid.
Eventually, after all those weeks of nothing happening, Nash gets into a car accident. Suddenly, they’re forced to confront how much they love each other (??), but then they go back home and… nothing. They’re just recovering and doing absolutely nothing else. They don’t even address their relationship until the very sappy, annoying ending.
The authors managed to completely obliterate the Nash we knew from the previous books. He’s boring and mundane here. He’s not proactive, he’s not leading, he’s not passionate, he’s just awkward, restrained, and lost in this weird, almost puritanical story. The main love relationship isn't well developed, I don't know where the authors were going with this.
And Foster is nowhere near the kind of partner I’d want for Nash. Based on everything we’ve seen so far in the series, the person who actually would have worked with Nash is Dayton, his boss and best friend. That would have made sense.
This didn’t.
What a disappointment.
Wow.
This is so boring it hurts.
They took Nash, a really strong side character from the series, one with the biggest potential to get a really great book, and completely blew it.
This was a washed-up version of Nash, he was a completely different person in this book. Not to mention that he was a sergeant, a Top, a caretaker, big daddy energy, openly gay, a mature, stable, dominant man in his prime, yet here, Nash ends up in a stupidly boring, uneventful love story paired up with a mediocre twink he fake-marries, and they supposedly fall in love while acting like idiots half the time.
🟢 A college professor / a vet (Sargeant), now EMT
🟠 Fake husbands
🟡 Almost no height, but some size difference
🔵 Age gap - 11 years, I think around 30 / over 40
🟣 Neurological disability
🌶️ Some sex, quite good, but not as much as I'd expect; oral, penetrative; t/b, hinting at vers
We come into this story right in the middle. We skip over the first time Nash and Foster see each other, which is only told at the very end of the book. We also skip a lot of their early times hanging out together, being in each other’s company and eventually living together as roommates, because, apparently, the fact that they both had crushes on each other for a longer time didn’t matter that much.
When Foster, Creek's younger brother, gets a bad diagnosis and is fired from his job as a college professor, he’s basically at home with Nash, his brother's former NCO, who is the only one who knows what’s going on with Foster. All the other guys who were supposed to be so close to and so connected with Nash, are nowhere to be found throughout most of the book. Nash is hiding everything from them, from Foster's devastating diagnosis to getting fake-married so Foster can get healthcare benefits.
How they manage to go weeks and even months without any kind of contact is beyond me, they were constantly in touch in all the other books, but especially now that Forest is here, one would think there'd be even more of that spending time together.
When Nash and Forest finally get fake married, they keep a lot from each other, they just don't talk about anything, but they do start talking about getting off, and just when you think they’re getting closer or at least are going to hook up regularly, they have their little honeymoon, come back home, and go right back to sleeping in their separate rooms.
Yeah, they continue sleeping separately, but you’re led to believe during that honeymoon that they’re at least going to keep having sex, right? They've finally gotten closer, right?
Sure, it came out of nowhere and I wasn't really sold on it, but at least there'd be some nice intimacy, getting closer, if nothing else.
Right?
Weeks pass where they barely even look at each other or talk.
I mean, what is this? What are they waiting for? This kind of stupid pining while living two feet apart isn't cute. And it's not even good pining, it's just being stupid.
Eventually, after all those weeks of nothing happening, Nash gets into a car accident. Suddenly, they’re forced to confront how much they love each other (??), but then they go back home and… nothing. They’re just recovering and doing absolutely nothing else. They don’t even address their relationship until the very sappy, annoying ending.
The authors managed to completely obliterate the Nash we knew from the previous books. He’s boring and mundane here. He’s not proactive, he’s not leading, he’s not passionate, he’s just awkward, restrained, and lost in this weird, almost puritanical story. The main love relationship isn't well developed, I don't know where the authors were going with this.
And Foster is nowhere near the kind of partner I’d want for Nash. Based on everything we’ve seen so far in the series, the person who actually would have worked with Nash is Dayton, his boss and best friend. That would have made sense.
This didn’t.
January 14, 2026
A fitting conclusion to this series
This series has been an excellent example of how to write disabilities, frustrating circumstances, complicated and challenging men and beautiful stories of love.
Leaving Nash until the end was the obvious choice because he's the one who's been there for the others without ever realising how much he needed to let himself be cared for.
In Forest, he finds the perfect balance in being able to care for someone while opening up and allowing that same grace for himself.
While I'd have preferred to not have the additional drama of how everything falls out with Creek because I would have loved to see them actually facing the consequences when there hadn't been a crisis, I also thoroughly enjoyed how things worked out.
I also love the rest of the found family in this series and I'd love to see a follow-up with Kaelan and Dex also finding their happy endings, preferably with each other!
#ARC kindly received from the authors, I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This series has been an excellent example of how to write disabilities, frustrating circumstances, complicated and challenging men and beautiful stories of love.
Leaving Nash until the end was the obvious choice because he's the one who's been there for the others without ever realising how much he needed to let himself be cared for.
In Forest, he finds the perfect balance in being able to care for someone while opening up and allowing that same grace for himself.
While I'd have preferred to not have the additional drama of how everything falls out with Creek because I would have loved to see them actually facing the consequences when there hadn't been a crisis, I also thoroughly enjoyed how things worked out.
I also love the rest of the found family in this series and I'd love to see a follow-up with Kaelan and Dex also finding their happy endings, preferably with each other!
#ARC kindly received from the authors, I am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 13, 2026
Ich hab die Serie so gerne gelesen, aber das letzte Buch war ... nicht so wie ich es mir erwartet habe. Ja, es ging auch um Nash und seine PDST und andere Probleme, aber es war ja dann doch eher ein "all-about Forest" Buch und irgendwie hat mir da etwas gefehlt. Vielleicht war es zu kurz? Es sind immer wieder Wochen übersprungen worden, bei denen ich gerne mehr Beziehungsarbeit gesehen hätte und auch der Umgang mit der Krankheit von Forest.
Habe ich es dennoch gerne gelesen, ja. Habe ich mir mehr erwartet, ja.
Habe ich es dennoch gerne gelesen, ja. Habe ich mir mehr erwartet, ja.
January 10, 2026
am I the only one feeling the lack of romance and the sense of reality?
December 10, 2025
Review to come (RTC)
January 9, 2026
If this is the conclusion to this series, I am extremely satisfied. Nash and Forest were just the best way to end such an emotional series.
I am in awe of Forest’s strength. The way he handled such a life changing diagnosis was nothing short of brave and inspiring.
He didn’t let it get to him like many others would have. He didn’t throw in the towel and felt sorry for himself. He fought with tooth and nail to keep his life as normal as possible.
Nash was the same caretaker he’s always been but in a more deeper sense because now he was taking care for Forest. His feelings for him were deeper than he wanted to admit and he would do anything to protect him.
The marriage might have been fake, but the love he felt for Forest was as real as the sun. He just was too afraid to let him know.
They were two idiots who loved each other but neither had the guts to say anything🤦🏻♀️
It took a major scare for them to realize their feelings but once they did, it was obvious how gone they were for each other.
Nash had been everyone’s pillar of strength and now he had someone who was his. They both had suffered so much, it was time they too found happiness.
I really loved this series. Loved that both E.M. and Nora wrote these flawed, relatable characters who were so inspiring and resilient. Life threw them a curveball but they still swung for the fences.
They refused to give up and took control of their own lives. It’s not what happens to us that matters, it’s how we react to it that does. They chose to get up when they got knocked down and that in itself is brave as hell.
I am in awe of Forest’s strength. The way he handled such a life changing diagnosis was nothing short of brave and inspiring.
He didn’t let it get to him like many others would have. He didn’t throw in the towel and felt sorry for himself. He fought with tooth and nail to keep his life as normal as possible.
Nash was the same caretaker he’s always been but in a more deeper sense because now he was taking care for Forest. His feelings for him were deeper than he wanted to admit and he would do anything to protect him.
The marriage might have been fake, but the love he felt for Forest was as real as the sun. He just was too afraid to let him know.
They were two idiots who loved each other but neither had the guts to say anything🤦🏻♀️
It took a major scare for them to realize their feelings but once they did, it was obvious how gone they were for each other.
Nash had been everyone’s pillar of strength and now he had someone who was his. They both had suffered so much, it was time they too found happiness.
I really loved this series. Loved that both E.M. and Nora wrote these flawed, relatable characters who were so inspiring and resilient. Life threw them a curveball but they still swung for the fences.
They refused to give up and took control of their own lives. It’s not what happens to us that matters, it’s how we react to it that does. They chose to get up when they got knocked down and that in itself is brave as hell.
January 9, 2026
I have a rule... if I cry or laugh out loud, the book gets 5 stars. This one made me do both, so... 🥰
Even though I felt like the romantic relationship between Nash and Forest took a back seat to other issues, that is just how real life is sometimes. A chronic illness is just that... forever. So many things get put on hold, and improvement or recovery takes center stage. Is this fair? Nah... but that is just how things work, sometimes. So, take your good and occasional GREAT moments and keep them close to your heart for when it feels like life is never going to give you that wonderful feeling ever again... trust me, you will be glad that you did!
This series is one of those that makes me wish I did rereads. My heart was touched by each and every story, and I hope to carry the love and hope that was found by these wonderful characters into my future!
Even though I felt like the romantic relationship between Nash and Forest took a back seat to other issues, that is just how real life is sometimes. A chronic illness is just that... forever. So many things get put on hold, and improvement or recovery takes center stage. Is this fair? Nah... but that is just how things work, sometimes. So, take your good and occasional GREAT moments and keep them close to your heart for when it feels like life is never going to give you that wonderful feeling ever again... trust me, you will be glad that you did!
This series is one of those that makes me wish I did rereads. My heart was touched by each and every story, and I hope to carry the love and hope that was found by these wonderful characters into my future!
January 12, 2026
It was OK but not my favourite. I'm not sure when these two fell in love but I did not see it happening as all the time it was just Nash taking care of Forest. Then we have what happened with Nash at the end and it felt unnecessary to be honest.
Bit of a meh ending as well with the 2nd wedding. I think I would have preferred to see everyone together doing something else a few years ahead.
Bit of a meh ending as well with the 2nd wedding. I think I would have preferred to see everyone together doing something else a few years ahead.
January 10, 2026
So happy to read Nash's happy ever after! Forest is prefect for him and the drama and angst and secrets is all totally relatable to the story!
Sad the series has finished but happy to see all 4 MCs get their loves!
Sad the series has finished but happy to see all 4 MCs get their loves!
January 23, 2026
I liked it, but maybe I expected more. This series has done a lot of exploration to disability and yet I feel like Forest's is the least explored one. And as the most dynamic one, it had potential to give a lot to the dynamic. I liked the book anyway though
February 2, 2026
4 1/2 stars...
March 4, 2026
It was ok. It was nice seeing Nash and Forest get their HEA but they spent the majority of the book just friends. No tension, No banter, No real connection for me. It was boring.
January 8, 2026
We finally have the last book and it was just as good as the previous 3.
January 10, 2026
Sooo happy that Nash finally got his HEA!! I love this series
January 16, 2026
4.5☆
ᔑᑭᏆᑕᗴ: 🔥🔥🔥
しᗩᑌᏀᕼᔑ: 🤣🤣
Ꭲᗴᗩᖇᔑ:😭😭😭
ᗰᑕᔑ. Nash, Forest
ᑭᝪᐯ: 1st Person Dual Pov
Ꭲᖇᝪᑭᗴᔑ: Roommates to lovers, Brother's best friend, Age Gap
Nash cosito bien hecho
ᔑᑭᏆᑕᗴ: 🔥🔥🔥
しᗩᑌᏀᕼᔑ: 🤣🤣
Ꭲᗴᗩᖇᔑ:😭😭😭
ᗰᑕᔑ. Nash, Forest
ᑭᝪᐯ: 1st Person Dual Pov
Ꭲᖇᝪᑭᗴᔑ: Roommates to lovers, Brother's best friend, Age Gap
Nash cosito bien hecho
January 20, 2026
Unfortunately I wanted more for Nash! I think some of it is down to what this series is about, that these were people finding love despite their physical disabilities. And that worked incredibly well for the first three books, where the disabilities were already established, but it fell apart with this book to me. It felt like Forrest’s whole FND diagnosis was just a way to shoehorn this last book into the series. I think I would have much preferred it to be more focused on Nash’s PTSD from his time in the military and all the things he’s been pushing down to take care of his men. We got a little bit of that story with his nightmares, but not nearly enough for me. It felt like we waited this whole time for Nash’s story, and then he wasn’t even the main character of the book that had his name on it. I also thought it was SUPER unfair how much Creek was maligned in this, like the way everyone just got on board, Creek included, with the idea that he was suddenly not a safe person for Forrest to talk with? Was wild to me, may that kind of friendly and brotherly love never find me.
February 26, 2026
Excellent Story & Narration🎧Riveting & Emotional!
Nash
Honorably Discharged, Book 4
By: Nora Phoenix, E.M. Lindsey
Narrated by: John Solo
And then there was Nash, one of my favorite characters in Nora Phoenix and E.M. Lindsey’s “Honorably Discharged” series, and the last one to find his special someone. Nash was the anchor of the found family, a group of veterans who served together, living through the same traumatic incident that left them broken, each in their own way. Nash has been everyone’s rock throughout the series, being there for everyone, helping them get through and/or past their own struggles and battles with inner demons, yet he still suffers from his own. All his brothers in arms are flying the coop, but before Creek moves out, he mentions his brother, Forest, was looking for a place to live, suggesting he take his room, and Nash agrees. Forest, a college professor, wanted a new start, thinking his old job was stressing him out and causing his unexplained illnesses. He and Nash hit is off and were perfect housemates, but when Forest’s unexplained illnesses came back with a vengeance, he turned to Nash when he needed someone to turn to, keeping it from his brother. Nash is a natural caregiver, and he helps Forest as much as Forest allows, and when Forest loses his job and his needed health benefits, he comes up with a solution, or rather a proposal, a marriage proposal. A marriage of convenience turns into something so much more, and it was great to watch them first fight off their feelings and then give in to them. It was also great to see Nash finally open up about what happened and his struggles with his PTSD. These two, an unexpected pairing that worked for them, and the chemistry between them was smoking hot. I loved catching up with the other characters from the earlier books too. This is another amazing Nora Phoenix and E.M. Lindsey collaboration, a beautifully written, multi-layered story that has the perfect balance of drama, angst, some heartwarming moments, profound emotions, and steamy romance. Thank you for another fantastic story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧Another exceptional audiobook production and listen performed by John Solo, who does an amazing job bringing these characters to life. He gives each character their own distinct voice, making it easy to follow along and tell who is who, with voices that have been consistent throughout the series. His character voices are always fitting to their personalities, and his portrayal of the two leads, Nash and Forest, was perfection. John Solo’s performances are consistently enjoyable; he is entertaining, and his captivating performance keeps you invested in the story.
Nash
Honorably Discharged, Book 4
By: Nora Phoenix, E.M. Lindsey
Narrated by: John Solo
And then there was Nash, one of my favorite characters in Nora Phoenix and E.M. Lindsey’s “Honorably Discharged” series, and the last one to find his special someone. Nash was the anchor of the found family, a group of veterans who served together, living through the same traumatic incident that left them broken, each in their own way. Nash has been everyone’s rock throughout the series, being there for everyone, helping them get through and/or past their own struggles and battles with inner demons, yet he still suffers from his own. All his brothers in arms are flying the coop, but before Creek moves out, he mentions his brother, Forest, was looking for a place to live, suggesting he take his room, and Nash agrees. Forest, a college professor, wanted a new start, thinking his old job was stressing him out and causing his unexplained illnesses. He and Nash hit is off and were perfect housemates, but when Forest’s unexplained illnesses came back with a vengeance, he turned to Nash when he needed someone to turn to, keeping it from his brother. Nash is a natural caregiver, and he helps Forest as much as Forest allows, and when Forest loses his job and his needed health benefits, he comes up with a solution, or rather a proposal, a marriage proposal. A marriage of convenience turns into something so much more, and it was great to watch them first fight off their feelings and then give in to them. It was also great to see Nash finally open up about what happened and his struggles with his PTSD. These two, an unexpected pairing that worked for them, and the chemistry between them was smoking hot. I loved catching up with the other characters from the earlier books too. This is another amazing Nora Phoenix and E.M. Lindsey collaboration, a beautifully written, multi-layered story that has the perfect balance of drama, angst, some heartwarming moments, profound emotions, and steamy romance. Thank you for another fantastic story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧Another exceptional audiobook production and listen performed by John Solo, who does an amazing job bringing these characters to life. He gives each character their own distinct voice, making it easy to follow along and tell who is who, with voices that have been consistent throughout the series. His character voices are always fitting to their personalities, and his portrayal of the two leads, Nash and Forest, was perfection. John Solo’s performances are consistently enjoyable; he is entertaining, and his captivating performance keeps you invested in the story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5+ stars
It is finally Nash's turn to find his person. We have seen "Top" take in and take care of the other guys who were injured in the military on his watch, and now Creek, Bean, and Tameron have found their loves and moved out. Nash is dealing with the loss of a full house, changing friendships, loneliness, and his attraction to his new roommate, Forest, who happens to be his friend's little brother.
Forest is in a new city, with a new job, and suffering from some physical symptoms he is afraid to look deeper into. He is younger, smart, sassy, but his issues are starting to stress him out. And he also seems to have what he thinks is an unrequited crush on his new house owner.
When Forest finds out news on several fronts that will change his life, Nash does what he does best and goes into fixer, caretaker, and protector mode. But Forest is a guy who does not like to depend on people and does not like to be underestimated or a burden to others. And Nash is so used to taking care of everyone else that he finds it hard to accept help if he needs it. These two are sweet and caring, but also stubborn and in need of an anchor in their lives.
This is an age gap, friend's little brother, secret, marriage-of-convenience, hurt-comfort, forced proximity love story with heart and heat. I loved how Nash treated Forest and also how Forest did not want to just take and wanted to be there for Nash too. They both have fears and insecurities, and hiding their situation adds tension and drama. Their backgrounds and current situation complicate matters.
This brings back all of our friends from this series: Creek and Heath, Bean and Jarek, Tameron and Dayton, as well as Dayton's brother, Dax, and Nash's friend, Kaelen. I would like to see more from them. I love the hurt-comfort, found family, and disability rep in all of this series and how they are resilient, loving, and find their person who accepts and loves them for all that they are.
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It is finally Nash's turn to find his person. We have seen "Top" take in and take care of the other guys who were injured in the military on his watch, and now Creek, Bean, and Tameron have found their loves and moved out. Nash is dealing with the loss of a full house, changing friendships, loneliness, and his attraction to his new roommate, Forest, who happens to be his friend's little brother.
Forest is in a new city, with a new job, and suffering from some physical symptoms he is afraid to look deeper into. He is younger, smart, sassy, but his issues are starting to stress him out. And he also seems to have what he thinks is an unrequited crush on his new house owner.
When Forest finds out news on several fronts that will change his life, Nash does what he does best and goes into fixer, caretaker, and protector mode. But Forest is a guy who does not like to depend on people and does not like to be underestimated or a burden to others. And Nash is so used to taking care of everyone else that he finds it hard to accept help if he needs it. These two are sweet and caring, but also stubborn and in need of an anchor in their lives.
This is an age gap, friend's little brother, secret, marriage-of-convenience, hurt-comfort, forced proximity love story with heart and heat. I loved how Nash treated Forest and also how Forest did not want to just take and wanted to be there for Nash too. They both have fears and insecurities, and hiding their situation adds tension and drama. Their backgrounds and current situation complicate matters.
This brings back all of our friends from this series: Creek and Heath, Bean and Jarek, Tameron and Dayton, as well as Dayton's brother, Dax, and Nash's friend, Kaelen. I would like to see more from them. I love the hurt-comfort, found family, and disability rep in all of this series and how they are resilient, loving, and find their person who accepts and loves them for all that they are.
January 22, 2026
A Beautiful Ending to a Brilliant Series
What a fitting end to a beautiful series. Nash the superior officer, the older and protective man, looking after his three brothers in arms and ensuring they all had a home and a safety net in which to heal and adjust to life outside the military.
I absolutely loved all of these books, Nash with his PTSD and unwarranted guilt over the injuries of his men, Creek coming to terms with losing his leg, Bean dealing with his traumatic brain injury and Tameron, the intuitive one, learning ASL as he slowly loses all his hearing. The authors did their research and each story was written beautifully and sensitively.
The book starts with Tameron, the last of the group, moving out of Nash’s home. They have all battled to overcome their disabilities and trauma to find love amongst the overwhelming challenges, and whilst Nash is so happy for them all he is also bereft and lost.
But he is not really alone as Creek’s little brother Forest, a lecturer at a nearby university, moved into the house a few months before, and whilst Nash hasn’t really got to know him yet he was instantly attracted to the small, slim, shy man but and it was a big but, he was hot headed Creek’s little brother and a few years younger than Nash so definitely off limits. But when Nash starts to notice Forest acting strangely and appearing unwell his protective instinct kicks in.
I cried for poor Forest, as his symptoms got worse and he was diagnosed with FND a neurological incurable disease that can only be eased with finding the right meds. When Forest loses his job and his health insurance, Nash steps up with a proposal, a marriage of convenience!
But when two people are secretly attracted to each other how long before it becomes real.
Nash thoroughly deserved his HEA with the tough, feisty Forest and I loved that we got lots of catch up with the other guys and their partners as well. I shed a tear when Forest found a friend in Dax, Dayton’s younger brother. His first real friend, a friend that wasn’t Creek’s or Nash’s but just his.
Definitely recommend this book and the series.
What a fitting end to a beautiful series. Nash the superior officer, the older and protective man, looking after his three brothers in arms and ensuring they all had a home and a safety net in which to heal and adjust to life outside the military.
I absolutely loved all of these books, Nash with his PTSD and unwarranted guilt over the injuries of his men, Creek coming to terms with losing his leg, Bean dealing with his traumatic brain injury and Tameron, the intuitive one, learning ASL as he slowly loses all his hearing. The authors did their research and each story was written beautifully and sensitively.
The book starts with Tameron, the last of the group, moving out of Nash’s home. They have all battled to overcome their disabilities and trauma to find love amongst the overwhelming challenges, and whilst Nash is so happy for them all he is also bereft and lost.
But he is not really alone as Creek’s little brother Forest, a lecturer at a nearby university, moved into the house a few months before, and whilst Nash hasn’t really got to know him yet he was instantly attracted to the small, slim, shy man but and it was a big but, he was hot headed Creek’s little brother and a few years younger than Nash so definitely off limits. But when Nash starts to notice Forest acting strangely and appearing unwell his protective instinct kicks in.
I cried for poor Forest, as his symptoms got worse and he was diagnosed with FND a neurological incurable disease that can only be eased with finding the right meds. When Forest loses his job and his health insurance, Nash steps up with a proposal, a marriage of convenience!
But when two people are secretly attracted to each other how long before it becomes real.
Nash thoroughly deserved his HEA with the tough, feisty Forest and I loved that we got lots of catch up with the other guys and their partners as well. I shed a tear when Forest found a friend in Dax, Dayton’s younger brother. His first real friend, a friend that wasn’t Creek’s or Nash’s but just his.
Definitely recommend this book and the series.
January 11, 2026
After watching Nash send each of his men off to live their happily ever afters, I was eager to see him find his life partner. His and Forest's journey was incredibly heartwarming, a story of two strong men learning it's okay to lean on each other and let others help carry their burdens. Forest was going through the scary uncertainty of navigating a new health diagnosis, complete with all manner of pokes and prodding and adjusting to his body's new normal. Nash was a grounding presence for Forest in those early days, someone he could open up to and be vulnerable around in a way he wouldn't show the rest of the world. When the two of them decided on a marriage of convenience for healthcare reasons, I had hoped to see more signs of intimacy growing between them, but despite their spine-tingling chemistry, Nash and Forest were too dang stubborn to acknowledge how head over heels they were for each other. Their home life became a frustrating middle ground of affection that never crossed the line from friendly to something more, and for a while I began to despair that they would never let go of their fears over changing the status quo. Thankfully they each had a support system who weren't afraid to knock some sense into them, and when life threw a particularly nasty curveball at the two of them, Forest and Nash realized they were far better off together than pretending they could go at it alone. I absolutely adored the epilogue E. M. Lindsey and Nora Phoenix crafted, and I thought it served as not just a fantastic closer to this book but to the series as a whole. I'm really going to miss reading about these honorable men and the lives they built for themselves after service, but my heart is so happy knowing that they're all happily in love and surrounded by a tight-knit community of friends and found family.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
January 28, 2026
Nash Brockway has always been the dad of the group. The one who kept the others safe and fed and taken care of. The one they call Top, who they trusted in the Army and after. But now, Bean, Creek, and Tameron have moved out and into their own places with their men, and as happy as Nash is for them, he's also lonely.
But the house feels a little brighter with Forest. Forest is Creek's younger brother, an adjunct professor who moved to the area for a change of scenery and to reduce stress. But now that he's settled he's realizing that his medical issues are getting worse, not better, despite the fact that his sexy roommate takes care of him so well.
When the diagnosis comes in, Forest is devastated. When he realizes he won't be able to afford the treatment he needs, Nash offers him something incredible: his hand in marriage so that Forest can get on his health insurance.
Forest doesn't know what to do. He needs treatment, he really likes Nash, and he doesn't want to worry his brother. But pretending to be the husband of someone who Forest has very real feelings for is going to be harder than any physical issue that might come his way.
FINALLY Nash got his HEA! It was SOOOO good. He's always been flying solo and helping everyone else and Forest was actually brilliant for him. I also love how the guys threw some tough love back at Nash and reminded him that he also deserved kindness and help. Forest had issues but he was also so strong and determined. They were a perfect match.
I'm sad to see this series come to an end but it was so good. I would like to see Kaelan and Dax...maybe we can have a spinoff!
But the house feels a little brighter with Forest. Forest is Creek's younger brother, an adjunct professor who moved to the area for a change of scenery and to reduce stress. But now that he's settled he's realizing that his medical issues are getting worse, not better, despite the fact that his sexy roommate takes care of him so well.
When the diagnosis comes in, Forest is devastated. When he realizes he won't be able to afford the treatment he needs, Nash offers him something incredible: his hand in marriage so that Forest can get on his health insurance.
Forest doesn't know what to do. He needs treatment, he really likes Nash, and he doesn't want to worry his brother. But pretending to be the husband of someone who Forest has very real feelings for is going to be harder than any physical issue that might come his way.
FINALLY Nash got his HEA! It was SOOOO good. He's always been flying solo and helping everyone else and Forest was actually brilliant for him. I also love how the guys threw some tough love back at Nash and reminded him that he also deserved kindness and help. Forest had issues but he was also so strong and determined. They were a perfect match.
I'm sad to see this series come to an end but it was so good. I would like to see Kaelan and Dax...maybe we can have a spinoff!
February 11, 2026
This whole book turned into Forrest's book, and Nash felt like a side character. He made his entire life and focus all about Forrest, that I didn't think we got much character development from him at all.
I'm also a little bummed that the author wrote Forrest with a chronic illness... I think Nash finally deserved to have someone devote their attention to him and help him heal. Instead, he did what he's done in the previous books and completely put himself aside for most of the book and made Forrest and his diagnosis his entire life. I was really looking forward to his book, especially since we got a few more glimpses of his struggle in Tameron's book.
I also didn't really feel a strong connection between Nash and Forrest, especially at the beginning. The author never really had them speaking on page in previous books, so we never got to see how they interacted at the beginning of their friendship, and this book started after Forrest had already been living with Nash for a few weeks.
It bothered me that after Nash proposed, they kept talking about how they shouldn't be falling in love because it went against the rules or that they just shouldn't have those feelings towards the other person.
When the heck did that get decided?? There was no conversation about boundaries before they got married, but they both had internal monologs about how they shouldn't been feeling the things they were feeling for the other person because of xyz.
A lot of things felt like we were just supposed to assume we already knew them as they were happening. It was very frustrating, and lacked depth to this book.
I'm also a little bummed that the author wrote Forrest with a chronic illness... I think Nash finally deserved to have someone devote their attention to him and help him heal. Instead, he did what he's done in the previous books and completely put himself aside for most of the book and made Forrest and his diagnosis his entire life. I was really looking forward to his book, especially since we got a few more glimpses of his struggle in Tameron's book.
I also didn't really feel a strong connection between Nash and Forrest, especially at the beginning. The author never really had them speaking on page in previous books, so we never got to see how they interacted at the beginning of their friendship, and this book started after Forrest had already been living with Nash for a few weeks.
It bothered me that after Nash proposed, they kept talking about how they shouldn't be falling in love because it went against the rules or that they just shouldn't have those feelings towards the other person.
When the heck did that get decided?? There was no conversation about boundaries before they got married, but they both had internal monologs about how they shouldn't been feeling the things they were feeling for the other person because of xyz.
A lot of things felt like we were just supposed to assume we already knew them as they were happening. It was very frustrating, and lacked depth to this book.
February 22, 2026
After three wonderful books in the series, this one fell slightly short for me. Nash, who opened his home to his three military brothers and comrades, serving as their rock and support, finally got his happily ever after. However, it didn't come easily for him. As the only one who wasn't injured in the line of duty, he carried a heavy burden of survivor’s guilt. While trying to rebuild his life by starting a job as an EMT, he doesn't hesitate to step in when Creek’s younger brother needs help. That’s just who Nash is.
A marriage of convenience seems to be the only solution to Forest's need for health insurance, and so our protagonists pledge love and loyalty at City Hall, unaware that they’ve actually found their soulmates. It’s impossible to miss the feelings growing between them, yet for a long time, both are afraid to acknowledge what’s right in front of them. There’s plenty of tension, a lack of communication, and fears that the other person doesn't feel the same way. This is the only installment in the series I have a few reservations about.
Perhaps it’s because Nash has been the rock and the one creating a safe space for his military brothers throughout the previous installments. I expected this part to focus more on him—his service-related trauma and the guilt he carried—and I hoped he would be paired with someone who could provide him with stronger support. Unfortunately, Forest (who was a perfectly fine character on his own) wasn't quite that person for him. Nevertheless, I read the story with interest because I truly wanted each of these wonderful characters to find their happily ever after.
A marriage of convenience seems to be the only solution to Forest's need for health insurance, and so our protagonists pledge love and loyalty at City Hall, unaware that they’ve actually found their soulmates. It’s impossible to miss the feelings growing between them, yet for a long time, both are afraid to acknowledge what’s right in front of them. There’s plenty of tension, a lack of communication, and fears that the other person doesn't feel the same way. This is the only installment in the series I have a few reservations about.
Perhaps it’s because Nash has been the rock and the one creating a safe space for his military brothers throughout the previous installments. I expected this part to focus more on him—his service-related trauma and the guilt he carried—and I hoped he would be paired with someone who could provide him with stronger support. Unfortunately, Forest (who was a perfectly fine character on his own) wasn't quite that person for him. Nevertheless, I read the story with interest because I truly wanted each of these wonderful characters to find their happily ever after.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Yeah, I was really looking forward to this one but sadly it didn't work for me. Love best friend's brother and age gap and size difference, they are all classics for a reason, and when I started reading I was so excited.
I was more excited because Forest has a similar condition to me, and I was excited to see that kind of representation on page. Unfortunately it just left me feeling depressed, so maybe that wasn't the right move. EM Lindsey is usually amazing at disability rep, so I was shocked to see 'inspire' (gag) used in relation to someone's condition. Not the MC's, but even so.
In addition, it did not ring true to me that Forest didn't want to tell his brother or friends about his diagnosis because Creek would smother him, but was happy to let Nash indulge his saviour complex and do everything for him. Apparently it's different with Nash, but it still felt like it went way too far, into infantilising territory. Again, not something I would expect from EM. At the same time, while a honeymoon is nice, it seems odd to take said honeymoon while Forest's condition is unstable and deteriorating. That would be a good time to start the treatment and medication options you married him for.
Unfortunately it felt like it failed as a romance as well. As I said I really enjoyed the beginning, when they liked each other and were getting closer, and at the end when they said they were in love and it was all very overblown and melodramatic, but I missed the part where they actually fell in love, which is always the best part of a romance. It's all very disappointing.
I was more excited because Forest has a similar condition to me, and I was excited to see that kind of representation on page. Unfortunately it just left me feeling depressed, so maybe that wasn't the right move. EM Lindsey is usually amazing at disability rep, so I was shocked to see 'inspire' (gag) used in relation to someone's condition. Not the MC's, but even so.
In addition, it did not ring true to me that Forest didn't want to tell his brother or friends about his diagnosis because Creek would smother him, but was happy to let Nash indulge his saviour complex and do everything for him. Apparently it's different with Nash, but it still felt like it went way too far, into infantilising territory. Again, not something I would expect from EM. At the same time, while a honeymoon is nice, it seems odd to take said honeymoon while Forest's condition is unstable and deteriorating. That would be a good time to start the treatment and medication options you married him for.
Unfortunately it felt like it failed as a romance as well. As I said I really enjoyed the beginning, when they liked each other and were getting closer, and at the end when they said they were in love and it was all very overblown and melodramatic, but I missed the part where they actually fell in love, which is always the best part of a romance. It's all very disappointing.
January 10, 2026
Nash is feeling lonely after his former military housemates move out, leaving only Forest — his friend’s younger brother, who’s grown into someone impossible for Nash not to notice. Forest is sweet, sassy, and far too tempting, but Nash believes he’s too old and too damaged to deserve someone so good. When Forest falls seriously ill, Nash becomes the only person he’ll let close. Determined to protect him, Nash even agrees to a marriage of convenience so Forest can have health insurance. But as their fake marriage deepens into something real, Nash struggles with his feelings and fears. Forest may need his care, but Nash has to find the courage to admit he needs Forest just as much.
I loved this story which was a beautifully emotional journey between two men who never expected to need each other as deeply as they do. Nash’s quiet loneliness and Forest’s vulnerability create a tender, slow‑building connection that feels both intimate and inevitable. What begins as care and protection — a marriage of convenience born from fear and compassion — slowly transforms into something far more powerful. The heart of the book lies in the way these two men love: Nash with his steady devotion and aching self‑doubt, Forest with his fierce loyalty and surprising strength. Their relationship grows through small moments of trust, shared fears, and the dawning realisation that they’re each other’s safe place. It’s emotional, heartfelt, and full of the kind of love that sneaks up on you and refuses to let go. This was an MM story with mature content.
I loved this story which was a beautifully emotional journey between two men who never expected to need each other as deeply as they do. Nash’s quiet loneliness and Forest’s vulnerability create a tender, slow‑building connection that feels both intimate and inevitable. What begins as care and protection — a marriage of convenience born from fear and compassion — slowly transforms into something far more powerful. The heart of the book lies in the way these two men love: Nash with his steady devotion and aching self‑doubt, Forest with his fierce loyalty and surprising strength. Their relationship grows through small moments of trust, shared fears, and the dawning realisation that they’re each other’s safe place. It’s emotional, heartfelt, and full of the kind of love that sneaks up on you and refuses to let go. This was an MM story with mature content.
January 18, 2026
Surprisingly Boring
I was looking forward to Nash’s book after so many books where he was the stoic leader who supported his friends as they healed and found love. I expected him to find his own love and have some epic story where he found the person who would take care of him and encourage him to be a bit more selfish after spending his life taking care of others. Instead we got another story of him taking care of someone and the romance itself was barely there.
Forest was sweet and in general I can see potential in his character but I feel like half this book was spent in a miscommunication time jump and the other half was just the two of them making plans to help each other with the physical side of their relationship, both the spicy side and the healing side. The romance to me was nearly non existent. There was some heat but even that was lackluster, and if you asked me to describe how these two fell in love and were meant for one another, I genuinely wouldn’t know what to tell you.
This book felt half written and like a thrown together conclusion to the series. There were moments of levity or fun but most of the time it just felt boring. I’m disappointed Nash didn’t get his epic love story but it was nice to get a few scenes of everyone together. The brotherhood of the main characters of this entire series was the real relationship and I guess that will need to be enough.
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience, Secret Relationship, Ex-Military, Physical Health Problems, Mental Health
Rating: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5
Spice: 🌶️ 1/5
Relationship: MM
I was looking forward to Nash’s book after so many books where he was the stoic leader who supported his friends as they healed and found love. I expected him to find his own love and have some epic story where he found the person who would take care of him and encourage him to be a bit more selfish after spending his life taking care of others. Instead we got another story of him taking care of someone and the romance itself was barely there.
Forest was sweet and in general I can see potential in his character but I feel like half this book was spent in a miscommunication time jump and the other half was just the two of them making plans to help each other with the physical side of their relationship, both the spicy side and the healing side. The romance to me was nearly non existent. There was some heat but even that was lackluster, and if you asked me to describe how these two fell in love and were meant for one another, I genuinely wouldn’t know what to tell you.
This book felt half written and like a thrown together conclusion to the series. There were moments of levity or fun but most of the time it just felt boring. I’m disappointed Nash didn’t get his epic love story but it was nice to get a few scenes of everyone together. The brotherhood of the main characters of this entire series was the real relationship and I guess that will need to be enough.
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience, Secret Relationship, Ex-Military, Physical Health Problems, Mental Health
Rating: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5
Spice: 🌶️ 1/5
Relationship: MM
February 4, 2026
“I want to be married to you. I want to skip the steps. The moment I saw you, you felt like home.”
Nash's been feeling sort of lost as his brothers and best friends flew the nest, but Forest is still there who was suddenly diagnosed with a chronic illness. With no insurance, they decided to get married.
One of my highly anticipated book in the series. Ever since book 1 and I clocked in on Nash and Forest meeting, I knew instantly I wanted to read their story.
With that in mind, I guess I had these expectations build up in my mind that when I read this, I was let down.
I love both characters. Nash's prominent throughout this series as their commander, as their good friend, who always there for everyone. However, I expected more from him in this one, I would've love to delve more about his trauma, history, juggling his job and sadness. We touched on that, don't get me wrong but it just ehhhh.
The main focus was more about Forest and his diagnosis with his chronic illness. I love that we saw a representation of how a person deals with a shtty hand, with the system not supporting the people who needs it, and how he navigated his new reality with an illness that stays forever. I love Forest, he's so earnest and sweet and he deserves a lot.
I did appreciate how slow burn it is. Though Nash proposed the idea of marriage, Forest didn't agree immediately but thought long and thorough about it.
Overall, the whole thing did fell a bit flat for me, which was so sad because I adored them both and wished them more than this story.
Nash's been feeling sort of lost as his brothers and best friends flew the nest, but Forest is still there who was suddenly diagnosed with a chronic illness. With no insurance, they decided to get married.
One of my highly anticipated book in the series. Ever since book 1 and I clocked in on Nash and Forest meeting, I knew instantly I wanted to read their story.
With that in mind, I guess I had these expectations build up in my mind that when I read this, I was let down.
I love both characters. Nash's prominent throughout this series as their commander, as their good friend, who always there for everyone. However, I expected more from him in this one, I would've love to delve more about his trauma, history, juggling his job and sadness. We touched on that, don't get me wrong but it just ehhhh.
The main focus was more about Forest and his diagnosis with his chronic illness. I love that we saw a representation of how a person deals with a shtty hand, with the system not supporting the people who needs it, and how he navigated his new reality with an illness that stays forever. I love Forest, he's so earnest and sweet and he deserves a lot.
I did appreciate how slow burn it is. Though Nash proposed the idea of marriage, Forest didn't agree immediately but thought long and thorough about it.
Overall, the whole thing did fell a bit flat for me, which was so sad because I adored them both and wished them more than this story.
January 9, 2026
This book was fine - I guess? - but wasn't anything to write home about. This was super disappointing, because we were all looking forward to Nash's book and got... nothing, really.
The disability rep is always great, but it's more interesting when real challenges are explored rather than everyone being absolutely perfect. The marriage-for-health-insurance situation was written in a similar way - could have been a really interesting theme to explore but... wasn't.
But the biggest issue was that it was completely instalove and there was no real relationship development whatsoever. Do these characters even have a relationship/friendship outside sex and Nash looking after Forest? No, no they do not. What do they have in common? What do they enjoy doing together? (Spoiler: nothing.)
Pretty sure I have never cared so little about .
Why did I have to read about .
Actually, you know what, I initially rated this book 3⭐️ but I think I'm gonna drop it to 2⭐️ thanks to that last part of the epilogue.
The disability rep is always great, but it's more interesting when real challenges are explored rather than everyone being absolutely perfect. The marriage-for-health-insurance situation was written in a similar way - could have been a really interesting theme to explore but... wasn't.
But the biggest issue was that it was completely instalove and there was no real relationship development whatsoever. Do these characters even have a relationship/friendship outside sex and Nash looking after Forest? No, no they do not. What do they have in common? What do they enjoy doing together? (Spoiler: nothing.)
Pretty sure I have never cared so little about .
Why did I have to read about .
Actually, you know what, I initially rated this book 3⭐️ but I think I'm gonna drop it to 2⭐️ thanks to that last part of the epilogue.
February 4, 2026
This was a deeply satisfying conclusion to the series and one that felt both earned and emotionally resonant.
Nash’s caretaker personality was one of the standout elements for me. His character reinforces that masculinity is not defined solely by strength or dominance, but by empathy, steadiness, and the way he creates space for others to fully be themselves. One of the most compelling aspects of Nash is how intentionally he nurtures the people around him, and that felt far more powerful than any traditional display of toughness. I was also more than ready for him and Forest to finally find their way to each other.
Forest’s journey with Functional Neurological Disorder was handled with care and authenticity. I was unfamiliar with FND before reading this book and found myself wanting to learn more. The idea of having your life change so abruptly is terrifying, and Forest’s resilience and grace in the face of that loss were both moving and inspiring.
The exploration of family dynamics added even more emotional depth to the story. Watching Creek and Forest navigate guilt, responsibility, and protection in such different ways felt painfully real. Making room for how others cope can be incredibly difficult, especially when love is tangled up with fear and obligation. While both characters made mistakes, their eventual reconciliation felt honest and deeply rewarding.
I will genuinely miss these characters and already know this is a series I will want to return to.
Nash’s caretaker personality was one of the standout elements for me. His character reinforces that masculinity is not defined solely by strength or dominance, but by empathy, steadiness, and the way he creates space for others to fully be themselves. One of the most compelling aspects of Nash is how intentionally he nurtures the people around him, and that felt far more powerful than any traditional display of toughness. I was also more than ready for him and Forest to finally find their way to each other.
Forest’s journey with Functional Neurological Disorder was handled with care and authenticity. I was unfamiliar with FND before reading this book and found myself wanting to learn more. The idea of having your life change so abruptly is terrifying, and Forest’s resilience and grace in the face of that loss were both moving and inspiring.
The exploration of family dynamics added even more emotional depth to the story. Watching Creek and Forest navigate guilt, responsibility, and protection in such different ways felt painfully real. Making room for how others cope can be incredibly difficult, especially when love is tangled up with fear and obligation. While both characters made mistakes, their eventual reconciliation felt honest and deeply rewarding.
I will genuinely miss these characters and already know this is a series I will want to return to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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